Magnetic clasp coupling for jewelry



Oct. 28, 1952 HORNlK 2,615,227

MAGNETIC CLASP COUPLING FOR JEWELRY Filed Nov. 18, 1949 INVENTOR. FREDERICK HORNIK Patented Oct. 28, 1952 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 2,615,227 I MAGNETIC CLASP COUPLING FOB- JEWELRY Frederick Hornik, Brooklyn, N. Y.

Application November 18, 1949, Serial No. 128,108

1 Claim. 1

This invention relates to new and useful improvements in magnetic-clasp coupling means, for such articles of jewelry as, for example, necklaces, bracelets, etc., and for such other articles of personal wear as, for example, wrist-watch bands or straps, tie clasps, key chains and the like; and, more particularly, the aim is to provide a novel and valuable such coupling means, characterized by an arrangement of the parts such that when the coupling means is clasped a secure and dependable interlock, both magnetic and mechanical, is afiorded, to combat accidental opening of the coupling, yet a closing of the coupling is facile and quick, as also is a deliberately intended opening thereof.

The magnetically behaving elements employed,

each to constitute the entirety of or a part of a different one of two interfitting structures to be coupled, may be comprised either of a pair of permanent magnets with their polarities relatively so established that when the coupling means'is clasped, that is, closed, the law of attraction of opposite poles on two coadjacent magnets operates; or said magnetically behaving elements may be comprised of a permanent magnet, and a keeper or armature therefor. In either case, a feature of the invention is a shaping of one of said structures, or of one, of the magnetic elements, and a complementary shaping of the other of said structures, or of the other of said magnetic elements, such that, when the coupling means is clasped, there is established, supplementary to the magnetic-seizure effected as between themagnetic elements, a physical interfitting between one or more recesses of one of the magnetic elements and one or more projections on the other of the magnetic elements.

A further feature of the invention is that, where desired, a coupling means pursuant to the invention as above may be practicably provided which is of tiny size; which may be variously readily decoratively embellished, and which may be fabricated, as to all parts of said means except precious-metal components or additions where these last areincluded, at relatively low cost. 1

For further comprehension of the invention, and of the objects and advantages thereof, reference will be had to the following description and accompanying drawings, and to the appended claim in which the various novel features of the invention are more particularly set forth.

In the accompanying drawings forming a material part of this disclosure: I t

Fig. 1 is a perspective view showing'one now jewelry as a necklace.

Fig. 2 is a similar view, but a fragmentary one, on an enlarged scale, for more clearly showing the details of the clasp of Fig. 1. v

Fig. 3 is a transverse vertical section, taken on the lin 33 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 4 is a view in perspective of a modification.

Fig. 5, also a view in perspective, illustrates another modification.

Fig. 6 shows in perspective still another modification.

Fig. 7 is an exploded perspective view, showing another modification.

Fig. 8 is a perspective view of the clasp component at the near side in Fig. 7, looking at the latter substantially in the direction of the arrow 8 of Fig. 7.

Figs. 9, 10, 11, 12 and 13 are all top plan collective views, each illustrative of a different possible variation, pursuant to the invention, in regard to the recessing of one magnetic element and a corresponding projectional shaping of the other magnetic element; all according to further modifications.

' Fig. 14 is a collective view showing in perspective a further possible modification, pursuant to the invention, in regard to the recessing of one magnetic element and a corresponding projectional shaping of the other magnetic element.

Fig. 15 is a section taken on the line l5-l5 of Fig. 14.

Figs; 16 and 17 are views similar to Fig. 14, but illustrative of further possible variations, pursuant to the invention, in regard to such recessing and corresponding projectional or protuberantal shaping. v 7

According to the first form of the invention shown in Figs. 1 to 3, the improved coupling means is shown applied to a necklace 20. Permanently connected to one end of the necklace 2B is one of two separable structures of the new coupling means, and permanently connected to the other end of said necklace is the other of said two structures.

Here, and in all the other embodiments of the invention selected for illustration herein, the two magnetic elements are shown, by way of example only, and not necessarily by way of limitation, as each constituting a permanent magnet, with their pole characteristics indicated by the letters N and S respectively.

3 In Figs. 1-3, one of said magnets is designated 2| and the other 22.

The magnet 2| is suitably fixedly anchored within a casing '23 formed from a strip of a suitable metal, as gold, and bent into substantially a C-shape. As will be noted such resemblance follows from the fact that three immediately adjoining and angularly relatively offset portions of the length of said strip provide plate-portions for enclosing the outer wall and the two endwalls of the magnet 2|. One of the terminal portions of the length of said strip is offset to provide an apertured ear 24, to which may be secured one,

end of the necklace as illustrated. V

The magnet 22 is suitably fixedly anchored within a casing 25, made of the same material as the casing 23, and constructed exactlylihe the latter except that whereas the casing 23 is tures of the coupling means consists solely of the magnet 2| a and the entirety of the other of said structures consists solely of the magnet 22 One of these magnets, at its end corresponding to one end of the coupling means, may carry a suitable formation to facilitate attachment of said magnet to one end of the necklace 2G; and the other of said magnets, at its end corresponding to the opposite end of the coupling means, may carry a suitable formation to facilitate attachment of the last-named magnet to the other end of the necklace 20.

, oiiset integrally therefrom, and the magnet 22 made according to one hand the casing 25 is 5 made according to the opposite hand. Thus, here also, the casing 25 has three immediately ad- .joining' and angularly relatively 'oiiset portions aforesaid complementary male and female shap respond, respectively, to the parts to which have been applied the same reference numerals but without primes, the dovetail interfitting' means of Figs. i-3 is shown as also employed; but the two magnets 25 and 22' are illustrated as encased, respectively, in tubular plastic sheaths 23 'a'nd'ZE. These encasements'may be such as also nets. v

In Fig. 5, wherein the two magnets are respectively designa'te'd fil and 22", with here also the dovetail interiitting means at Figs. 1 3 shown as employed, an arrangement is illustrated according to which the magnet 2| is encased in a tubular plastic sheath 28 and the magnet, 22" is encased in a similar sheath 2%)". Here, however; each such encasement, also if desired extended to cover the tops and/or 'the bottoms of the magnets, is illustrated as constituting'the entirety of the casing for a magnet; with the last-named casings, for example, and as shown, having integrally projected therefrom apertured ears. The ear carried by the sheath 28" is designated 2d", and the ear carried by the sheath 29" is designated '26".

r In Fig. 5, wherein the two magnets are respectively designated 2F and 22, with here also the dovetail interfitting means of Figs; 1-3 illustrated asemployed, there is shown a variationwherein the entirety of one of the two separablestruoto'cover the tops and/or the bottoms oi'the ma has an apertured car 26 offset integrally therefrom.

Referring to Figs. 7 and 8, wherein the two magnets are respectively designated Zl and 22, with here, once more, the dovetail interfitting means of Figs. l-3 illustrated as employed, an arrangement is shown wherein the two separable structures of the coupling means are not only held together by the law of magnetic attraction when coupled, but also wherein, additional to the interlitting made possible by said dovetail means, a further and relatively positive yet readily releasable latching means is provided, automatically becoming effective when the dovetail interfitting is established; said latching means, nevertheless, being readily rendered efiective, and also readilyybut only deliberately, capable of being disabled, to permit openin oiwthe coupling means. To these ends, an arrangement is shown,

1 again by way of example only and not necessarily by way of limitation, such that a casing is provided for each magnet; with each such casing, made of any suitable metal or other suitable sheet material, characterized the fact that the material of its casing is a very thin one having somewhat of an elastic property.

Gne such casing, this for having anchored therein the magnet 2 l', is designated it; and the other, for havinganchored therein the magnet 22* is designated 3|, Each of these casings is formed as illustrated from an endless ring or band of the material last above referred to, and bent at intervals along its length so as to enclose the containedmagne't all around the vertically extended superficies of the latter, while also bent on itself so as to present as illustrated one of a pair of double-ply extensions each adapted when apertured as shown to constitute an attaching ear. Said ear of the casing SE1 is marked 32, and

said ear'of the casing 3i is marked For providing the relatively positive yet readily releasable' latching means aforesaid, the casing 33 may be so formed. as to carry a depression 3:? (with a recess not shown being also sunk in the magnet 2i for reception in said recess of the convex side of said depression), and the casing 31 may be so formed as to carry a teat 35 outwardly directed away from enclosed magnet 22* and for latch coaction with the depression 34.

7 Further, thecoaction of said depression 34 with the recess sunk in the magnet iiijust above parentheticallyreferred to, may be the sole yet a fully adequate means to be reliedon to clamp the magnet Zlhimmovably within the casing 36; whilefor similarly clamping the magnet 22 immovably within the casing 3|, the last-named As here shown, by Way of example, the magnet 21 has an apertured car 24* directions indicated by said arrows 4|, 42 and scriptions of these views hereinabove are fully explanatory of the modifications for the disclosures of which these views are included in the drawings. Any of such modifications may be equipped and/or encased according to any of the principles explained in connection with Figs. 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8 or otherwise within the scope of the invention.

Fig. 13, in regard to which (and also in regard to the structures exemplifyingly illustrated in Figs. 9. and 14-16) the comment contained in the sentence last preceding applies, will likewise be fully understood, when it is pointed out that the dot and dash delineations 31 and 38 are intended tov make plain the locations of the apertured attaching ears or equivalents.

In Figs. 14 and .15 an arrangement is illusthe multiple interfittings, friction between the two magnets when interfitted may be provided for and to serve as a strongly acting agent for cooperating with the magnetic action in preventing accidental separation of the two magnets in any direction. V

In Fig. 16 there is illustrated one of the many possible variations Within the invention of the multipleinterfitting formations to be carried by the two magnets as typified in Figs. 14 and 15. As will be noted, one of said magnets, this designated 44, has three slots 45, 46 and 41, While the other magnet, this marked 48, carries three riblike projections 49, 59 and 5|, these projections for entering, respectively, the slots 45, 46v and 41. Here, also, a separation of the two magnets, after they have been coupled, is prevented in all the 43 of Fig. 14.

In Fig. 17 another modified form of the invention is illustrated. In this form of the invention the two magnets52 and 53 are shown to be provided with projecting pins 54 and 54 respectively, adapted to engage into complementary socket openings 55 and 55 to facilitate the couplingof the magnets.

While I have illustrated and described the preferred embodiments of my invention, it is to be understood that I do not limit myself to the precise constructions herein disclosed and the right is reserved to all changes and modifications coming within the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claim.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by United States Letters Patent is: v

A magnetic-clasp coupling means for neck;- laces and the like, comprising a pair of dovetailed magnetically coacting elements, each of said elements being included in a diiferent one or two separable casings, each of said casings carry- .ing apertured ears for facilitating permanent attachment thereto of one of two to be joined terminal sections of the necklace.

FREDERICK HORNIK.

REFERENCES CITED The following references file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS are of record, in the 

